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La Liga | Gameweek 28
Mar 17, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Moron (82')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Messi (18', 45', 85'), Suarez (63')

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi's stunning record vs. Real Betis

Ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash between Real Betis and leaders Barcelona, Sports Mole examines Lionel Messi's stunning goalscoring record against the hosts.

Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi was back to his brilliant best on Wednesday night as he scored two and assisted two more to fire his side into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is still scoring at an incredible pace of one goal per game on average across all competitions this season, and Real Betis will be the next team in his sights on Sunday.

The La Liga leaders could take another step towards defending their crown with victory at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, although they face a Betis side with lingering aspirations of breaking into the European places.

Betis recorded a famous 4-3 win at Camp Nou in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but to get anything out of Sunday's match they will likely need to subdue the maestro that is Messi.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Argentine has fared against this weekend's opponents in the past.



LMvBET

Just as he has done this season, Messi has averaged a goal per game in his 20 previous meetings with Betis across all competitions, in addition to eight assists.

Sixteen of those goals - and all eight assists - have come in league fixtures between the two sides, and November's meeting was the first time that Messi had ever ended up on the losing side in a top-flight encounter.

The Argentine actually only scored once in his first five games against Betis, and has failed to score in half of the 18 La Liga games, but when he does net he more often than not bags a brace.

Indeed, Messi has scored exactly two goals on seven previous occasions against Saturday's opponents, including in both of the last two games.

However, that brace at the Benito Villamarin last season was only the second game he has scored in at that stadium from seven previous visits, so this weekend's venue is by no means his favourite stomping ground.

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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